I awoke with great joy this morning to an email from my cousin Henri that contained a photo of his ancestor Mary Jane (Jauncey-Thorn) de Varaigne. If you have been following this story, you will know that Mary eloped with Camille de Varaigne when she was 16 and caused an enormous scandal. The couple did... Continue Reading →
Below is a interesting glimpse into the Victorian mind with a mention of Colonel Thorn's upcoming ball, and the American's in Paris by Elizabeth J Knox in her letters. They make for such fascinating reading as they reveal the gossip and cultural beliefs of the time. In one letter I read, she spoke of a... Continue Reading →
This Fenimore Cooper book fragment, which was sold at auction, mentions Madame de Varaigne and Col Thorne. It is referring to the fact that Cooper tried to help Thorn when his daughter eloped with Camille de Varaigne. It was a terrible scandal at the time, but in a matter of years seemed forgotten when Camille... Continue Reading →
I'm delighted to share with you all these large portrait photos of Jane Mary Thorn de Pierres and Etienne de Pierres. Not sure what year they are taken, but I would think they are in their 30's? It's interesting to see Jane's different hairstyles, and Etienne in full diplomat regalia. Jane Thorn de Pierres Etienne... Continue Reading →
Charles (Bossu) Marville was a French photographer famous for his images of the architecture of Paris in the Haussmann era. I found this image on an auction site, orginally given to Amedee and Alice (Thorn) de Ferussac in 1868. I'd love to know what the sculpture is and where it is kept. Marville's work recorded... Continue Reading →
All recounts of the origin of the American Cathedral in Paris suggest that it grew out of the Episcopalian services that Colonel Thorn hosted at Rue de Varenne. In an earlier post, I mentioned that there was some suggestion that the Colonel employed an English minister to bring some Godliness to his house because of... Continue Reading →
The heiress, Mrs Moulton, was described in the newspapers as the daughter of a rich American piano maker. She moved to Paris the 1840's, where she sought acceptance and notability. She aspired to hold soirees and fetes that all the most important people would attend and asked a Madame Lemercier and Colonel Thorn for assistance... Continue Reading →
It was exciting to discover this image of Napoleon and Eugenie and their attendants taken in 1860. Thanks to Henri de Fraville, I have this information about the photo: Photograph attributed to Adolphe BRAUN (1812-1877) and entitled “La Cour Impériale à Fontainebleau, June 24, 1860” published in the review “Le Point, artistic and literary review”... Continue Reading →
Below is a little insight into the protocol of the Hunt during the reign of Napoleon 111 and Empress Eugenie. Jane Thorn de Pierres is mentioned often for her riding prowess. That means she got to wear the formal hunt gear and buttons. It looks rather tight and restrictive to be riding sidesaddle in. When... Continue Reading →
I discovered this delightful despcription of Alice, Ellen, and Ida Thorn being observed in their carriage as it tooled around Central Park. This was six years after the Colonel had died. Interesting to hear that Napoleon 111 was annoyed by the Colonel's flashy livery. French Landau Central Park 1865 The married daughters of the late... Continue Reading →
The Colonel and Mrs Thorn 
[…] is believed that the product will have exceeded the figure of 10,000 fr. The hero of the party was…
Will do
Hi Eugene, nice to meet you. Let me know if you find out something new.
I also believe that I have correctly traced my ancestry to Ots-Toch, through my mother, Claribel Ackart (via Solomon Eckert,…
[…] From 1858 – 1871, he was a councillor at the Canton of Saint-Aignan-sur-Roe in Mayenne. And deputy of Mayenne…